“It’s also an important economic issue. And the focus of this year’s Little Steps, Big Impact project is to encourage residents to try alternative forms of transportation, walking, biking, carpooling, and using transit.”

Russ Haden, a laboratory supervisor for the Douglas County Health Department who studies air quality, says ozone has serious consequences.

“High levels of ground-level ozone cause eye irritation, crop damage, and can increase problems with respiratory disorders such as asthma. Ozone can even increase the deterioration rate of everyday materials that we use.”

The Health Department issues air quality alerts on days when there are elevated ozone levels.

The 50 cent bus fares apply during the week. Transfers cost 25 cents. Metro Transit executive director Curt Simon says they expect ridership to exceed what it was in July 2013.